Blue Vain wrote:
bondiblue wrote:
FarmerBlue wrote:
Arnhem blues wrote:
Can’t quite get my head around the almost universal love for Motlop. He is young and will improve. But rewatched most games from this year and:
1. He doesn’t get his own ball (like durds)
2. Applies less pressure than sos or owies
3 can’t evade if chased(like fish) - handballs overhead
4 not a strong mark (like durds or Martin)
5 not so quick (like cunners)
And turns it over a lot
He does get to dangerous spots and the ball seems to find him though which is good.
In the reserves Dow was more dangerous up forward. Motlop will have his first full preseason and may start to shine but for me durds,JSOS,fish,cunners (if fit),Martin, owies (wish he could kick) are ahead and Carroll may have more overall upside…
100% disagree on all points. He will be the best small forward we have. The kid has elite traits and with his first full pre season I expect him to step up quickly. At training last week he was one that stood out. Lost that puppy fat and looks to have some muscle
I'm with you FB.
Born 23rd November 2003.
He played as an 18yo ... and stood up.
Can't compare him with 24yo Fisher ... but I have no doubt 18yo Motlop is miles ahead of 18yo Fisher etc etc
Every player Arnhem Blues mentions is competing for a spot in the forward line...JSOS is not competing as a small, and fear JSOS may not be best 23 if TDK builds more strength this preseason. He has upside, as does Motlop who just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not convinced Owies, Durdin and Fisher are ahead of Motlop either. I see them all as borderline best 23. Cunners and Martin will be competing for one HF spot along with Honey.
Motlop is competing for a spot against Owies and Durdin. May the best man win and help us win the flag.
I agree he's very young and has a bright future but i also agree with most of Arnhem Blue's points. Motlop has plenty of potential but also plenty to work on.
And you can compare 18 year old Motlop with 24 year old Fisher because that is what is currently competing for spots.
At this stage, I have Fisher and Durdin well ahead.
The age thing does matter to me because there were games where Motlop was the stand out of the 4 ( Fisher Owies & Durdin), especially later in the season, Durdin moreso in up to the GWS game, Fisher in some games. So for an 18yo, and from the get go in his first game, shows more upside to me. I expect Durdin will improve and his shoulder may have hamprered his output later in the season. I don't see all 4 playing in the same team in 2023, and there is serious competition for small forward. I don't see Honey as a small forward. I see him as the medium forward, like Martin, and Kennedy.
The mix in 2022, possibly 2023.
2 KPFs...................................................Harry Charlie
1 Fwd-Ruck............................................TDK (Silvagni in 2022, possible in 2023)
1 Medium fwd.........................................Martin (when available)
2 small fwds...........................................Motlop Durdin
1 Fwd-Mid rotation/ interchange................Kennedy Walsh........possibly Owies, Hollands, Honey and Cottrell did well as a tagging HF vs Saints.
Interesting that Walsh started as a HFF, but joined the midfield group.
Competition for spots is fantastic for 2023, and with another preseason under their belt, all will be better than 2022, or should be given their young age.